Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at 9:00 am  |  50 responses

Clippers to Baron Davis: You’re Out of Shape

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Vinny Del Negro’s first order of business, as the coach of the star-crossed Clippers, was to inform the world that he’s unhappy with his point guard’s shape and conditioning. Vinny’s apparently not the type to ease into things.

There were rumors this summer that Baron Davis’ weight had ballooned out of control (some had him listed at an incredible 260 pounds). Del Negro wouldn’t go that far, but he did not mince words when addressing the local media about Baron’s conditioning — or lack thereof.

From the LA Times:

The candor was almost startling on Monday at media day. New Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro wasn’t even five minutes into his first session with reporters when he expressed concern about the shape of veteran point guard Baron Davis. So, how far off is Davis?

“Percentage-wise, I’d be guessing,” Del Negro said. “He’s put in a lot of work in the last month or so. He started a little bit later probably than he needed to. He’s in pretty good shape right now, but he’s not where he needs to be. He knows that. Obviously, you want everybody in perfect condition. You have to come in training camp in shape. And the job in training camp is to get into better shape.”

As the article points out, this was a premeditated act on behalf of the organization; Vinny Del Negro was simply the messenger, whose job was to let Davis — the team’s highest paid player — know that no one is happy with where he is physically.

The press in LA claims this represents a change in culture for the Clippers, one in which all players will be held accountable. That remains to be seen, of course.

Each year, we hear that things will be better in Clipper-land; the problem is in that ever actually coming true.

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  • EJ Posted: Sep.28 at 9:22 am
    260 hahaha I’d like to see a point who’s like 6’2 and 260.

  • MikeC. Posted: Sep.28 at 9:24 am
    Hmmmm. Baron Davis struggles with conditioning and injuries for his whole career except for two seasons where he gets into amazing shape for a contract push, signs a big contract, then struggles with conditioning and injuries. I’m thoroughly astounded, shocked and surprised. And hurt.

  • Hussman25 Posted: Sep.28 at 9:24 am
    GOD DAMNIT BARON!!! FOCUS MAN! I understand you want to become a heavyweight (excuse the pun) in the film industry, but you are a NBA ball player first! This is unacceptabl;e if true and coming into shape @ 260. I hope Bledsoe pushes you this TC and bring you down to reality…. You cant change the world (or the clippers organization) if you cant change yourself! Signed, A fustrated Clippers fan!

  • MikeC. Posted: Sep.28 at 9:25 am
    And hungry.

  • Anthony Posted: Sep.28 at 9:31 am
    And sad.

  • LDR4 Posted: Sep.28 at 9:32 am
    Unlike Chuck Norris who has another fist under his beard, Baron Davis has multiple chins under his.

  • ManofGod131 Posted: Sep.28 at 9:36 am
    Baron needs to get it together. This team has the potential to make the playoffs if everyone stays healthy. Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Aminu, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman. That starting lineup is good enough to be an 8 seed. Get in shape Baron.

  • J.C. Posted: Sep.28 at 9:38 am
    deja vu

  • JoeMaMa Posted: Sep.28 at 9:49 am
    Baron Davis is so fat that he irons his underwear on the driveway. Yes…JoeMaMa came with a yo momma/Diddy joke. And it hurt to do that…I love his game. You just shouldn’t eat butter and margarine as a pre-snack snack.

  • T-Money Posted: Sep.28 at 9:51 am
    Baron Davis has as much talent as any point guard in the NBA. But what does he have to show for it? 2 all-star games, 1 All-NBA 3rd team, a couple of trips to the second round… Lame!

  • Shanoooooo Posted: Sep.28 at 9:51 am
    Baron isn’t hardly worried about what the Clippers have to say. He’s a big time movie director now !

  • Cmonpeoples Posted: Sep.28 at 9:54 am
    But coach isn’t round a shape?

  • dirty frank Posted: Sep.28 at 10:01 am
    Too bad. I really want to see an exciting, healthy season from Baron – Not an exciting buffet show down with Eddy Curry.

  • The Philosopher Posted: Sep.28 at 10:09 am
    Many people would be overweight if they were as rich as Baron Davis.

  • dirty frank Posted: Sep.28 at 10:13 am
    I’m overweight and I’m not rich^^

  • t-sizzle Posted: Sep.28 at 10:22 am
    it’s not just food that packs on weight. alcohol, beer, women, lying around all day, all that stuff packs on weight, especially with the metabolism that some people seem to have. he needs to be more active and move around more

  • dirty frank Posted: Sep.28 at 10:25 am
    ^^women pack on weight?^^ Not sure what you mean by that.

  • Nick the Quick Posted: Sep.28 at 10:29 am
    How come other teams dont get this blunt with some of their more portly players and just come straight out and say that player so-and-so is fat and needs to lose a few pounds. Edddy Curry, Boris Diaw, ….TayTay..

  • the downtown brown clown Posted: Sep.28 at 10:31 am
    then if that’s the case dirty frank… you’re screwed… hahahaha! ;P

  • niQ Posted: Sep.28 at 10:34 am
    It’s okay, if he gets tired there’s always Bledsoe…

  • Fat Lever Posted: Sep.28 at 10:35 am
    T-sizzle with a medical breakthrough. Not only does food pack on weight, but also being lazy. We need to spread this news to the masses!

  • Laumol Posted: Sep.28 at 11:19 am
    Pot calling the kettle? The Clippers are in not such a good shape themselves. Joke of a team.

  • ClydeSays Posted: Sep.28 at 11:24 am
    Hey Vinny, we understand. But is this really how you want to deal with this? Baron doesn’t strike me as a dude who takes public criticism well…. Just sayin…

  • The Fresh Prince of Nsam Posted: Sep.28 at 11:53 am
    And sorry

  • Eduardo Posted: Sep.28 at 12:04 pm
    B Diddy has so much potential. Should have stayed in Golden State.

  • onlyclipsfanonslam Posted: Sep.28 at 2:06 pm
    To be clear, this means GAME SHAPE. They have been scrimmaging for almost a month now at the practice facility. Baron is probably around 220 when he should be down to 205-210. Yes, he needs to lose some more lbs but this is talking about game shape. BUT, Blake Griffin looks like he is in better physical condition than from training camp last year. He is much more flexible and has dropped his body fat%. Hide your DJ MBengas Blake Griffin is coming

  • unrel Posted: Sep.28 at 2:41 pm
    @LDR4.. you’re stupid with the chuck norris ref.. hahaha

  • doyouwantmore Posted: Sep.28 at 3:04 pm
    Mike C right on point

  • Anton Posted: Sep.28 at 3:05 pm
    Finally, something me and Baron Davis have in common.

  • Big E Posted: Sep.28 at 3:25 pm
    Baron Davis won’t respect Del Negro anyways.

  • All Day Posted: Sep.28 at 3:30 pm
    Hopefully, Baron Davis hasn’t turned into Chris Childs!

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Sep.28 at 3:34 pm
    That beard accounts for 20 pounds alone.

  • Tarzan Cooper Posted: Sep.28 at 3:55 pm
    Hes in really good shape, not great game shape. Cosign about baron proly not cool with being called out on first day by new coach. With the exception of a couple seasons, baron has always played on garbage teams, very sad. Hey, anyone remember 04 , when baron was a serious mvp candidate for the first half of the season before the team fell apart?

  • Michael NZ Posted: Sep.28 at 4:01 pm
    Always a good start when your leader shows up out of shape.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Sep.28 at 4:33 pm
    Del Negro wants to talk about holding people accountable….del negro, please!!

  • Jukai Posted: Sep.28 at 4:52 pm
    Anton: That and Steve Nash is constantly touching your ass.

  • PapaBearATL Posted: Sep.28 at 5:29 pm
    In shape and pro-level game shape are not the same. Some guys play year round on various leagues and come in with their bodies fatigued, some don’t do anything and progessively get into shape throughout the course of the season, the elite find that median where they stay at a competetive level throughout. And some only care during contract season’s Baron says: Can I haz cheezeborger…

  • Anton Posted: Sep.28 at 6:01 pm
    Jukai: our safe word is “defense”

  • bnets Posted: Sep.28 at 6:10 pm
    BAron ur fat u cant play, put that in your bloq

  • Ronson Posted: Sep.28 at 6:34 pm
    The story of his career since he left Charlotte. Talent wise best pg in the league, but only showed flashes of what he was capable of.

  • str8 from samoa Posted: Sep.28 at 6:45 pm
    WHEN THE SEASON STARTS AND ITS TIME FO GAME TIME, DAVIS IS ALWAYS ON POINT. DONT LET THE WEIGHT FOOL YA. HE STILL GOT GAME!

  • Allenp Posted: Sep.28 at 6:50 pm
    Anton is a beast. Lol.

  • Darksaber Posted: Sep.28 at 7:32 pm
    Oh wow, Anton’s safeword crack was faaaantastic.

  • tealish Posted: Sep.28 at 8:04 pm
    haha @ Anton’s 6:01

  • IAMORANGE4EVER Posted: Sep.28 at 9:55 pm
    Boom Dizzle has crossed over into the Clipper Zone.

  • RedRum Posted: Sep.29 at 12:19 am
    I really don’t care about players like him. It is obvious that he is not a competitor, why would someone do that to himself if he just plainly did not care? OK, he won’t be winning a ring with the Clips, or even making it to the playoffs, but come on dude…

  • Seven Duece Posted: Sep.29 at 8:14 pm
    ….and water is wet.

  • eddieo Posted: Oct.4 at 6:52 pm
    $10 talent with a ten-cent head. Of course he’s on the Clippers.

  • Russell_fan Posted: Oct.8 at 6:31 am
    Baron’s and Elton Brand’s contracts were complete disasters, their teams have some great young talent but they need to get rid of these… albatrosses

  • SLAM ONLINE | » Vinny Del Negro to Baron Davis: You’re Still Out of Shape Posted: Nov.2 at 10:01 am
    [...] hasn’t changed his stance on B-Diddy (who sat out last night with a knee injury); he still finds him a bit too chubby for his [...]

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